Eva Longoria among Texas Medal of Arts Awards recipients

By Hector Saldana :
March 5, 2013
: Updated: March 6, 2013 6:10am

Eva Longoria arrives at the Texas Medal of Arts Awards at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin. She and “Desperate Housewives” co-star Ricardo Chavira were among those honored.

Eva plays big part in Obama's Presidential Inauguration.

Photo By BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
/AFP/Getty Images

Presidential Inaugural Committee Co-Chair Eva Longoria dons an elegant white figure-flattering dress to speak at a service summit on the National Mall, January 19, 2013 in Washington, DC. As part of the 57th Presidential Inauguration, Americans across the country will participate in service projects in their communities to celebrate the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Eva Longoria and President Obama

Eva: 'Desperate Housewives'

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Actress Eva Longoria said this was one of her favorite days of all time when, wearing a smashing pink coat, she stood on the inaugural platform and watched President Obama get sworn in.

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Eva Longoria

On a prior visit with David Letterman, Eva Longoria flashed plenty of leg and cleavage in a sexy blazer and shorts suit.

Remember - A series of flashbacks take us back to moving-in day on Wisteria Lane for Bree, Susan, Gaby and Lynette, and to how Mary Alice Young brought them all together. Meanwhile Bree gets some frightening news, Susan moves into a trailer, Lynette discovers Tom's secret and all is not well in the house of Solis, on the two-hour Second-Season finale of Desperate Housewives.

Eva Longoria, from television series Desperate Housewives, arrives for the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

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The cast of Desperate Housewives, from left to right, Marcia Cross, Nicolette Sheridan, Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, and Eva Longoria pose backstage after accepting the award for best television series musical or comedy at the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Photo By MOSHE BRAKHA/ABC

A primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on happily every after, this new hour- long drama takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem. Desperate Housewives stars (from left) Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer and Brenda Strong (background) as Mary Alice Young.

Photo By SCOTT GARFIELD/ABC

Suspicious Minds -- Looking to give her life a purpose, Gabrielle decides to organize a glamorous Halston fashion show for charity highlighting the ladies of Wisteria Lane. But Susan is less than charitable toward her friend when she discovers Gabrielle's shocking secret. Meanwhile, Lynette uses her business acumen to poach a nanny, and Bree decides to take Andrew's out-of-control behavior into her own hands.

Photo By PETER STONE/AP

This undated file photo from ABC, shows Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher and Marcia Cross, from left, toast one another in a scene from ABC's Desperate Housewives.

Photo By MOSHE BRAKHA/ABC

A primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on happily every after, this new hour- long drama takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem. Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis

Pretty Little Picture -- The women decide to go ahead with the big dinner party the late Mary Alice had planned to host, despite the more-than-minor disturbances in their own lives, as adulterous Gabrielle finds herself with a nine-year-old blackmailer (guest star Ashley Bukowki), Bree struggles to keep her crumbling marriage a secret and Susan bares all -- in more ways than one -- as she confronts her ex (guest star Richard Burgi).

Photo By BOB D'AMICO/ABC

Looking down on her friends and family isn't a way of life for Mary Alice Scott. It's a way of death. One day, in her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, Mary Alice ended it all. Now she's taking us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors, commenting from her elevated POV. Her husband's acting suspicious, the neighbors are talking, and her girlfriends are wondering why one of their own would do something so rash¿ and so messy. There's Gabrielle (pictured), the ex-model with everything she always wanted - a rich husband, a big house - so why is she sleeping with the 17-year-old gardener? From her unique vantage point, Mary Alice sees more now than she ever did alive and she's planning to share all the delicious secrets that hide behind every neighbor's closed door in this seemingly perfect American suburb.

Photo By RON TOM/ABC

Nice is Different Than Good - Mike Delfino's bride will finally be revealed: Will it be Katherine... or will recent events be enough to bring him and Susan back together? Lynette faces the reality of another pregnancy; Bree struggles to break free from Orson and her inhibitions; Gaby is put to the test by Carlos' teenaged niece, now in their care; and a new family with a dark past moves to Wisteria Lane, on Desperate Housewives,

Photo By DANNY FELD/ABC

Kathryn Mayfair is unable to keep some of her secrets from the women of Wisteria Lane, Susan's hunky young male cousin reveals more than expected, and a surprise wedding ceremony has its share of secrets.

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS ----- Eva Longoria holds an Express-News give-away item Saturday night May 12, 2007 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio during the Spurs' third game of their best-of-seven, second-round playoff series against the Suns.

METRO - Actress Eva Longoria gets escorted by the Spurs Coyote during introductions of the celebrity teams at the McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity game presented by 2K Sports at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006. Longoria took on the role of a coach for the "H-Town" team that included celebrities such as hip hop artist Nelly. Longoria sported denim jeans with the words, "Tony P", that likely showed her support for boyfriend and Spurs guard Tony Parker who will be playing as an All-Star for the first time in his NBA career.

Actress Eva Longoria and Spurs guard Tony Parker watch the French Open in 2009 at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

Actress Eva Longoria cheers during Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, April 25, 2010, in San Antonio.

Photo By AP

Actress Eva Longoria takes photos during Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, April 25, 2010, in San Antonio.

Photo By LELAND A. OUTZ/SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

OTS/HEIDBRINK - Gordon Hartman (Founder), Eva Longoria and David Robinson (Guests) were at the Morgan's Wonderland grand opening on 4/10/2010. This is #2 of 2 photos. names checked photo by leland a. outz

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Actress Eva Longoria watches an NBA basketball game between Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 4, 2010. Longoria's husband, Tony Parker, plays for the Spurs.

Photo By AP

Actress Eva Longoria watches an NBA basketball game between Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 4, 2010. Longoria's husband, Tony Parker, plays for the Spurs.

Photo By AP

Actress Eva Longoria, left, chats with an AT&T Center employee before an NBA basketball game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, March 26, 2010 in San Antonio.

Photo By AP

Actress Bridget Eva Longoria Parker attends an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-89.

Photo By BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images

US actress Eva Longoria (L), husband basket-baller Frenchman Tony Parker watch the French Open tennis men's final match between Swiss Roger Federer and Swedish player Robin Soderling on June 7, 2009 at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. The event, the second Grand Slam tournament of 2009, runs from May 25 to June 7, 2009. Fererer won 6/1,7/6,6/4. AFP PHOTO / BERTRAND GUAY

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/San Antonio Express-News

Actress Eva Longoria (center) and wife to Spurs guard Tony Parker appears at the game against the Portland Trailblazers at the AT&T Center on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

SPORTS Eva Longoria spends some time with husband Tony Parker courtside before the start of the Spurs preseason game with the Indiana Pacers in San Antonio October 18, 2008. San Antonio Spurs play the Indiana Pacers at the AT&T Center Saturday, October 18, 2008.

METRO- Comedian and actor George Lopez jokes around as he holds down Eva Longoria's dress as it blows in the wind during a brief press conference at La Cantera Palmer Golf Course during Eva's Hero's Celebrity Golf Tournament Saturday Oct.13, 2007. DELCIA LOPEZ/STAFF

Photo By BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS

METRO - Tony Parker and Brent Barry ride a barge with Eva Longoria during the Spurs Championship Parade Sunday, June 17, 2007 on the San Antonio River. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/STAFF

FOR METRO - Spurs' guard Tony Parker, of France, (09) holds the MVP thorphy as he waves to fans while his fiancee Eva Longoria takes in the sites during the victory parade Sunday June 17, 2007, at the River Center Lagoon

Photo By Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - JUNE 14: Actress Eva Longoria and her financee Finals MVP Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs after their 83-82 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the NBA Finals at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 14, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eva Longoria;Tony Parker

Photo By Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - JUNE 14: Actress Eva Longoria and her financee Finals MVP Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs after their 83-82 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the NBA Finals at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 14, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eva Longoria;Tony Parker

Photo By BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Eva Longoria carries fiancee Tony Parker's MVP trophy following the Spurs win in the NBA Finals game four in Cleveland June 14, 2007.

Photo By BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Eva Longoria and Tony Parker following the Spurs win in the NBA Finals game four in Cleveland June 14, 2007.

Photo By JERRY LARA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Eva Longoria during fourth quarter action in the NBA Finals game four in Cleveland June 14, 2007.

Photo By TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Spurs' Tony Parker, right enjoys a laugh with NBA Legend, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, second from right and Parker's fiancee Eva Longoria prior to the NBA Finals game one in San Antonio Thursday June 7, 2007. Other man is not identified.

Photo By JERRY LARA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Spurs' guard Tony Parker, of France, (09) and fiance Eva Longoria celebrate the Spurs Western Conference championship during post game festivities in the Western Conference Finals game five in San Antonio Wednesday May 30, 2007.

Photo By DELCIA LOPEZ/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Eva Longoria cheers during first half action in the Western Conference Finals game two in San Antonio Tuesday May 22, 2007.

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Eva Longoria cheers on the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter of game five Wednesday, May, 2, 2007 at the AT&T Center.

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS --- Eva Longoria was seen Wednesday night April 25, 2007 at the AT&T Center during the Spurs' game against the Nuggets' during the second game of their first round playoff series.

CONX - Actor Carlos Bernard (left) and his "coach" and fellow actor Eva Longoria cheer on teammates during the McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity game presented by 2K Sports at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006. Bernard is known for his role in the Fox Television show, "24".

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

CONX - Actor Carlos Bernard (left) jokes around with his "coach" and fellow actor Eva Longoria prior to the start of the McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity game presented by 2K Sports at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006. Bernard is known for his role in the Fox Television show, "24".

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO - Actress Eva Longoria oversees her team warm-ups prior to the McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity game presented by 2K Sports at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006. Longoria took on the role of a coach for the "H-Town" team that included celebrities such as hip hop artist Nelly. Longoria sported denim jeans with the words, "Tony P", that likely showed her support for boyfriend and Spurs guard Tony Parker who will be playing as an All-Star for the first time in his NBA career.

Photo By BILLY CALZADA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS - San Antonio's royalty Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and actress Eva Longoria enter the Alamodome for the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005. The Saints lost the use of their home stadium, the Superdome, when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans on Aug. 29. BILLY CALZADA / STAFF

Photo By LISA KRANTZ/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO - "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria gives her autograph to fans before Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on June 21, 2005. Lisa Krantz/STAFF

Photo By JERRY LARA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Actress Eva Longoria during the the third game in the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns at the SBC Center on Saturday, May 28, 2005. ( JERRY LARA STAFF )

Photo By JERRY LARA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Eva Longoria waves to the crowd while sitting with Tony Parker Sr. prior to the start of game two of the Western Conference Finals at America West Arena in Phoenix on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. ( JERRY LARA STAFF )

juliecooper EVA AT CANNES. nba courtesy photo

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS ----- Eva Longoria looks up in the stands before the start of the Spurs' vs the Nuggets Wednesday night May 4, 2005 at the SBC Center during the fifth game of their first-round playoff series.

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS - Gov. Rick Perry greets a companion of Eva Longoria (far right) before the start of the Spurs playoff game with the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night May 4, 2005 at the SBC Center for the fifth game of their first-round playoff series.

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS ----- Eva Longoria makes her way to her seat Sunday night April 24, 2005 at the SBC Center before the start of the opening game of the Spurs' first round playoff series against the Nuggets.

Photo By BILLY CALZADA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS - Eva Longoria, television star from the show "Desperate Housewives," was at the SBC Center to watch her alleged boyfriend, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs,in NBA playoffs action against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, April 24, 2005. BILLY CALZADA / STAFF

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

SPORTS ----- Eva Longoria makes her way to her seat Sunday night April 24, 2005 at the SBC Center before the start of the opening game of the Spurs' first round playoff series against the Nuggets.

Eva Longoria of "Desperate Housewives" and an unidentified friend watchthe action at the America Airlines Center in Dallas, May 19, 2006, during game six of the NBA Western Conference semifinals playoffs. Jerry Lara/Express-News

More Information

The awards honor Texans who have achieved excellence in a wide range of the arts.

More than 1,000 people attended the party, the seventh in the series staged since 2001 by the Texas Cultural Trust, a nonprofit organization formed in 1995 with a mission to promote the arts in education.

Longoria was recognized for her work as an actor, author and philanthropist and received an award in the multimedia category. “Desperate Housewives” co-star Chavira, who grew up in San Antonio, was chosen for his television work.

S.A. remains filled with good memories for the glamorous Longoria, who lamented she probably wouldn't be able to make it to Night in Old San Antonio this year during Fiesta. “I used to love NIOSA,” Longoria said before the event.

She addressed her growing image as a political insider. Longoria is not a politician, she says, but is “interested in creating policy that affects lives.”

Rock legend Steve Miller arrived carrying his guitar bag; inside, a vintage Fender Stratocaster. The guitarist famous for “The Joker,” “Mercury Blues” and “Fly Like an Eagle” cited Texas musician T-Bone Walker as his greatest inspiration; they played together when Miller was 9.

Miller praised Texas musicians. “It's different when it's real. This is just a creative place,” he said. “I can always tell when a musician is from Texas.”